Week 10 - Last letter from the MTC!!

Hello, world! So my next email you'll see is going to be sent from Thailand!  It's SOOO weird that I'm finally about to go!  And on that note, I'm sorry to say but I'm not going to be sending out too many letters this week due to packing, etc...  But real quick, I just want to tell you all some cool things before I really head out Monday evening.  But before ALL that, I want to thank you again for your support. Your love is as tangible as anything you can hold in your hand. I hold that love in my heart as I try to serve the Lord.  Wow that was gushy... But I'm totally being truthful - thank you so much. :)

So I'm glad I got to sing in the choir during the Saturday Afternoon Session [of Conference]! The power of music is so cool.  For instance, after the last talk on Saturday, people started to get up and leave?!  I mean who does that?!  I was bummed because we prepared the most incredible song about the Prophet Joseph, and people were walking out on our message.  But we kept singing and singing until the hushed key of Bb blossomed into a vibrant D major as the sisters took their turn testifying.  Then I looked out into the audience.  No one was moving in the aisles - no one was IN the aisles!  But everyone had sat perfectly still in reverence and awe from the exuberant emotion of 500 missionaries singing about their beloved prophet.  Then the key was swallowed up in the majestic Gb major, 7-part final verse.  But then, even the people who left could be seen gathered in the back standing in reverence of this awe-inspiring work.  The music dedicated to Joseph Smith literally stopped thousands in their tracks.  The Spirit that filled the whole room was a last "Amen" to all the seers prophets and revelators that lifted up their voices that day - an Amen I can never forget.

But a little more on the not-so-spiritual side, I did see Elder Archie [David Archuletta](can't spell his name) a few times, he IS a first tenor, and no, I have not nor will not get any pictures with him - with new missionaries coming in every week and seeing him, I’d rather be a help to him and leave him alone - although he very nice, respectful, and humble.  Also very short.  Kudos to Elder Jared Andersen who stood by his side the whole time who's not a whit behind spiritually from Elder Arch. ;)

In closing, I also want to mention our travel plans: - Leave SLC: 8:10p; Arrive LAX 9:20p; Leave LAX: 11:50; Arrive Hong Kong: 5:40 (you can try the math, but that's
really a 14 hr flight.  Yiam!  aka Awesome!)  Leave Hong Kong: 5:55; Arrive Bangkok: 10:35!

So that's pretty much it for now.  Thai is coming, although we're learning still: Like when I told my investigator about the 'Procreative Kingdom" on accident.  But progression is cool - like last Saturday night when I totally didn't realize that I was saying my prayer in Thai until half way through!  The Lord does love us and his missionaries!

Week 9

Dearest Family and friends,

In the words of John Lennon, this is letter "number nine..." Wow.  It's
been pretty awesome here!  My last couple blogs have been pretty
spiritual in nature, so this time I think I should catch some people
up.

FIRST ABOVE ALL, thank you SOOO much for all your prayers and thoughts
in my behalf.  I really can feel them every single minute of every single day.
If any of you out there are on the fence about serving (a mission), just go so you
can see the raw power of prayer work in others behalves.  Then you can
go around the world to help others come to the same conclusion.
However, coming here was definitely a leap of faith for me.  I didn't
know how to teach, I didn't know if I could handle my companion, and
if you ask my mom, she'd say that I liked the Bible over the Book of
Mormon... (Clairify: Both are great, ok? lol)  But really though,
watching the hand of the Lord qualify his servants right before your
very eyes is an experience that is ... yeah, like I can't even type
anything right this moment to describe how wonderful AND REAL this
work is.  I've been struggling a bit this week about some questions,
but through fasting, prayer, and feasting (upon the Words of Christ),
I received my answer in more ways than one - for example, even just
getting an answer to "hold on" brought comfort to my soul.

Yeah, so this thing turned out "spiritual" I guess... Well, good news
- We leave for Thailand in less than a fortnight -  if you don't know how long
that is, look it up, because we're all freaking out about it.  My Thai is
coming better and better because of the gift of success the spirit has
given me in answer to all your prayers.  Yes, success is a gift of
the spirit - totally found that out while I was here (read Alma
22:22,27-28). Yeah, and I guess fasting is also a "commandment..."
Yeah, like no one told me.  You find cool things while you are here too...
Yeah, like I also found out that one time in Thailand, the king was on
his death bed and everyone was sad.  So one Tuesday, they all wore
pink for him to get better - and he did! So every Tuesday EVERYONE WEARS
PINK !

Another pretty cool thing I found out while here is that I have the
opportunity to participate in a special choir that will be
supplying the music for General Conference!  I wasn't going to say when
so you'd have to watch ALL of them to find me in my little purple tie
(thanks Emilie!), but my mom threatened to go to the priesthood
session if necessary - but we're singing Saturday afternoon, so it's
all good, mom.  ;)  Robyn, you're DEFINITELY going to want to watch our
intermediate number!  We're singing some really cool pieces - ones
you'll just have to watch to find out!

Well, it has been an exciting week, and now getting released as zone
leader really does show how close it's coming to the end of my amazing
stay here at the MTC.  It's almost done!

Week 8

Hello family and friends!

So this week has been really cool.  Very spiritually boosting.  We mainly focused on "Teaching People, Not Lessons" in our Missionary curriculum. It really has been night and day to allow the spirit to take control of the lesson.  It is a physical thing.  It isn't some theory that people say to make us teach better. The Spirit is becoming to me as tangible a thing as something I can physically feel.  When I was little, I was always a little disappointed when in Sunday school or wherever it was I heard it said that "the Spirit is like the wind: you can't see it but you know it's there."  Nope.  The wind is definitely here on THIS earth and I can physically feel it, etc.  You never know when you're feeling the spirit because it might be your thoughts, you might be too distracted, you can only hear it when there's no one else around -except for those stories that never happen to you... Those were some of my frustrated thoughts sometimes.

But the Spirit is actually becoming as constant as wind is.  Usually wind is not very constant, but it is much more constant than my ambiguous idea of what the spirit was.  But now, I am learning the why’s and how’s behind the workings of the spirit while here.  All I've learned reminds me of Helaman 3:35, where the people of God "did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation...because of their yielding their hearts to God."  THIS week, Elder Creer and I taught an awesome lesson in Priesthood because it was "conducted after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 6:9)  Seeing the success that the Spirit brings, we had another lesson taught by Elder Bennett and Elder Engle who just wanted to have a kind of discussion.  The following were some of my impressions I recorded with my little blue inspiration book I have (WHOLE other story for that little book):

"The Spirit is like a violin - a millimeter off and you're off tune.  How to fix?  Practice those precise fingerings correctly (and constantly self-correcting) until it gets engrained in your blood by pondering and actually applying the spirit; continuously practicing, like Lehi - who practiced listening to the Spirit so much, he was always prepared to receive revelation - and DID."

Once Lehi acted (in faith) on something that 'could be' the spirit, the Lord realized he was so much more ready to receive more.  "To him that receiveth, to him will I give more, and he that receiveth not, it shall be taken away"... or something like that.  I have learned that the Spirit, that is as tangible as a morning wind, can only be felt if you act on those promptings and "wax stronger and stronger" by practicing A LOT.

I ask you - my friends and fam - to PLEASE read your Book of Mormon every day.  Practice that spirit, and I know you too will feel it's a breeze.

Week 7

Wow... What a week! SOOOO much has happened. I'll try to tell as much as I can...

So on Wednesday, we got our Nung Thais!! Elder Sharp in even just a few hours younger than me too! Danielle and Jordan's and my friend, Sister Jeni Itri is here with Sister Church - who's mom told me to look her up while I was eating in Provo's "Spicy Thai." They're already learning script which makes me a little jealous, but the Lord has a reason for everything.

In Fact, that was a big turning point for me here.  Bro. Day told us a story where a Greenie Elder was his companion during one lesson where he was giving most the lesson until the greenie wanted to say something.  He struggled at trying to convey his feelings, and you could tell he had so much love, and he touched the investigator much more than he (Bro. Day) did - even though he understand every Thai word. "I hope you come back Tri-lingual" he said. "Speaking English, Thai, and the Spirit.  I was so bogged down with knowledge and pride, that I couldn't hear what the Spirit wanted me to do or say - but that Elder did because he was listening to the true comunicator. There is no such thing as a language barrier - just a lack of the Spirit," Bro. Day recounted. That really hit me, big time. Before that lesson (and even now) I had been really struggling with the language.  I was beating myself down because of past 'failures' and such.  But after that lesson, we taught our investigator, Beer (yep, that's his name...), one of the best lessons because this time Elder Creer and I listened, waited, and decided to include the Spirit more.  I still couldn't say what I wanted to EXACTLY, but I got the point across (I even had to bring Anna into the lesson to describe a principle because of the lack of Thai that I will improve on).  And although my Thai could be lacking to some people, I spoke the language of the Spirit better that I had ever before.

Another instance where the language of the Spirit spoke louder than Thai or English was where we had an emergency in our residence hall.  I was getting ready Sunday morning when I heard a commotion and that Elder Engle was in trouble.  Elder Engle, just by the way is one of my favorite people in the world. Top 5 funniest I've met for sure (more stories to come from that).  Not only has he played the violin for 12 yrs and can say the greatest and funniest things, but he actually speaks Portuguese and helped me out during this whole time.  So with that already running through my head, I run out to discover that he cannot close his mouth.  Apparently, he got his mouth stuck while brushing his teeth and his jaw became locked.  So I ran out as they were going to go to the health clinic.  But I called out to them "Hey, do you want a blessing?" Elder Engle spun around and nodded vigorously.  We went into our room right by the door and I anointed (with much awkwardness) and Elder Creer gave a very short blessing and they were off. I couldn't eat that morning hardly, but at lunch I saw him [Elder Engle] talking normally.  I almost dropped my tray, but ran up to him instead.  He related to me that they were rushed off the hospital and the pain got worse and worse.  Finally it got so bad that he thought he was going to pass out.  When darkness started to surround him, he said his jaw shut.  The blessing was the factor he said. We later talked about it and we tearfully thanked each other.  I really do have so much love for everyone in this district, it's amazing.  Why?  Because we have all been learning a third language that angels speak. When you can learn this language and 'can speak with the tongue of angels,' miracles happen.

They DO only happen when you're exactly obedient, and I'm not being that right now because I'm three minutes over, but I wanted to share that experience with you that I might persuade you of the truthfulness of these things.  I love you all.  Your prayers fuel me with the light I need every day.  Thank you :)

Elder Gibbons

Week 6

Hello friends and family!

So it's the start of week seven for us tomorrow, and there is so much going on!  I'll start backwards so I can get it all.  Tomorrow we get "Nung Thais" (or 'little Thais') which means new Thai missionaries!
YaadYiam! (Awesome and/or tubular)

On Sunday, we got a new branch president (which pains me deeply because Pres. Roach - former Mission President of Illinois Chicago Mission who hurt his back and was reassigned here - was one of the best examples of love and authority I've met.  So it was cool to have President Brown, the President of the whole MTC be in our Sacrament meeting, where we also released Elder Tatton from our district leader and also Sis Yeo and Coordinating Sister.  BUT, instead our new district leader and new coordinating sister is none other than Elder Bennett and Sister Stoleworthy - the two missionaries I met at the temple before I went in!  Amazing how the Lord works!

Also, Elder Creer and I have had one of the best TRCs (Teaching Resource Center, where volunteers spend time with the missionaries as themselves (at least they are themselves in the language department I think...).  On Friday, Thursday, all awesome lessons from awesome teachers. Bro. Jenkins and Bro. Day rock the house, and Bro. Day has really helped me a lot this week. Between that and the TRC, where the volunteers gave us some awesome feedback concerning our teaching by the spirit.  It's funny that the two volunteers who gave us the best feed back we saw at the temple today!  It was trippy (am I allowed to say that?) but awesome.  I also did sealings for the first time - and it was so special.  The officiator was so full of the spirit and his meekness and love poured out of his heart through his mouth with each word.

I also tried out for a musical number with "Better Than I", which I did so well with the beg help from the spirit, but they do want me to sing something else about Joseph Smith instead (different 'Joseph,' but I'm fine with that!  On the day of tryouts, we ran into the MTC President himself and I smiled big at first, and then felt like Adam who wanted to hide with out my suit coat (it was being dry cleaned)! Awesome.

But, if that's not enough, Alex Boye came and spoke to us - craziest fireside I've been to here and one of the better ones I've had in my life. He really emphasized the power in thinking big.  Haven't you ever
realized that God never really thinks small? Bro Boye talked about his conversion story in London (it's on Mormon messges), but then told us that you are as good as you think you are.  He shared Proverbs 23:7 - "For as a man thinketh... so is he."  It TOTALLY makes sense to me that your thoughts are the most powerful resources you have.  If you are guilty like me of making negative comments about your self, stop it.   You haven't the slightest clue how much damage you cause yourself until you try with much faith to do the reverse - when you have faith to think big, you can start thinking on the Lord's level.  When you start thininking on the Lord's level, he can speak about his will to you.  And when you can understand the language of His will, miracles happen.

Gtg! think about that

Week 5

MTC Report No. 5 in Eb Major, Op. 166

So I'm a little confused as to what I should call these things...

Anyway, I still have limited time, so I'm going to just recount a few things about being Zone Leader, speaking Thai, and reading the Book of Mormon (BoM).  But first, I would like to address many thanks for your support, but mostly your prayers.  The power of prayer is real, and I've experienced.  I've also experienced why church is so important.  We learn as Puusonsaansanaa (missionaries) about several fundamental things we emphasize in our teaching; one of them is "Revelation through Church Attendance."  At first, I thought church was a nice thing that we do to show our love for Heavenly Father.   WRONG.  (His letter quit right here, then I got another one...)

Dumb keyboard... Or dumb missionary - I'll put that one up for debate...

Anyway, what I found is that church attendance is completely essential to the salvation of our souls by way of not only showing God we love him (D&C 59:9-12), but it provides the only way we can be "remembered and nourished."  Imagine getting a brand new cell phone (Anna will like this) and using it for phone calls, games, addresses, texting, google, GPS, or anything else you use it to bless your life.  But you can only use it once because you refuse to charge it.  This is the same principle of church attendance.  This is not only God's day of rest, but it is our spiritual and well as physical day that we exercise faith in His grace and keep His commandments by renewing our sacred covenants through the magnificent blessing of the Sacrament. Often in Thai culture, people think that if you do enough good things, it will 'outweigh' the bad.  A Buddhist monk once explained to our teacher that Buddhism is like a scale based on points: say hitting your little sister is like -50 points.  If you feed the hungry, that's +100 pts.  Say fornication is -150 pts.  If you release a dove over the river in the morning - whoa there, buddy! - that's probably a solid +200, so you're good for a while. But the missionaries explain that just doing good isn't enough - we need the atoning blood of Christ to take full swing in our lives in order to take effect (affect? Max, check me on that one...).  It's like putting scarlet dye into a large vase of water, the missionaries explain.  No matter how much pure, clean water we pour into our lives, only dumpling out all the old sin will be enough of us to allow God's grace "to be sufficient for us" (Eth 12:27 - you're welcome, Dad).

Well, my time's almost up, so I apologize for not addressing those other things.  I will somehow... But yeah, see Moroni 6:4-6 and Mosiah 18 for more.  I challenge you all to also have a question next Sunday. Take it to church and prove God if He won't help you.

(I guess he didn't have enough time to sign off!!  Love ya Joe!!)

Week 4

Hello World!

I'm going to be trying to direct my letters a bit more broadly so I
can be more specific in individual letters (sorry mom). But I want to
thank you all for all your support - I'm really feeling the spirit and
khwaamchuailua (help) from those prayers. So thank you! Also, thank
you everyone for the jodmay (mail) - although I have limited time to
respond with haste, I appreciate greatly all the encouragement.

Jason - OMGOSH!!!! MEXICO?! Phom txxten YUH YUH (excited A LOT) to the maxx
(didn't have time to express that last time)! Keep me posted on cool
events - from a good score on a test to a mission call - I'll gladly
bounce up and down in my room getting weird looks from my roommates if
I hear good news of any kind. ;)

So it being my 4th/5th week, there has been A LOT of spiritual growth,
but I thought I'd talk a bit about the AWESOMENESS of this language
this time around. It's still YAAG MAAG (SUPER HARD), but so beautiful
and poetic. For example, the word for "repentance" is pronounced
'glab-jai', where "glab" means 'return to', and "jai" means 'heart'.
So to "khawjai" (understand - 'enter' - 'heart') the word repentance,
one must understand the turning of one's heart back to God. Yiam, nai?
(Awesome, huh?) These compound words can be found almost everywhere,
like in the words for "shoe" and "sock". The word for "shoe" is
'rong-taaw'. "rong" = foot, and "taaw" = building.  So, a building for
your foot is a "rong-taaw!" Then replace 'rong' with 'thuung' (bag)...
and you can figure out the rest!

Some other cool examples of the Thai's expressiveness involves how you
address people. For example, I would call Max or Bryce 'khun' for
familiarity, where I'd call Joe Cannan 'nung' for younger. I'd might
also call Max or Bryce or especially Matt Schlappi or Geoff "Phii" for
being older. Then I'd call Siah, Elly, and children under 4 (Anna
would also especially call Mary Holker) 'nuu' which means 'mouse'.
Isn't that cute? Then comes the fun part - every woman that is as
young as my mom I call 'Maa' and as old as my dad 'Phah'. It's like
we're one big family because there's an additional 4 ways you address
aunts and uncles, and then each grandparent has their own address!

Well I'm 7 min passed my time (I hope I don't get struck down before I
leave to Thailand), so I'm going to go, but thanks again for all that
and for listening to my Thai grammar lesson... Love you all and see
you soon (in only 50 fortnights!)

With all the love in the world,
Elder Gibbons
สู ๆ !! Keep Going!

PS: Mom, could you please send me my extra ties? You bring 4 - 5 here
and you feel like a loser (especailly when your comp brought
SAAM-SIP-SONG!!! Ask Anna to look up how many that is...)! Haha, not
really I feel great, but it's nice to have some more variety here...